Service-Learning Series

A call to service and a "culture of responsibility" are at the center of the new vision in Washington for "Remaking America." As the nation's largest and most diverse arts, media, and communications school, Columbia has established itself as a leader in creating positive change, and as our mission states, we conduct education in close relationship to a vital urban reality and serve an important civic purpose by active engagement in the life and culture of the city of Chicago. 

How, then, do we translate this mission and "culture of responsibility" into practice through our classrooms and our teaching?

This series is designed for faculty members who think beyond the walls of their classrooms and who wish to develop new ways to engage students by connecting learning to the challenges of our communities.  In three sessions, we will build upon the principles and practices of civically engaged pedagogies to consider how the curriculum of a course may be transformed by Service-Learning. 

The series will conclude with an opportunity to submit proposals for the Timothy J. Densmore Service-Learning Faculty Fellowships that will provide up to $3,000 support for faculty members to integrate Service-Learning into a pre-existing class. 




The Television Department's Tim Densmore was an alumnus of Columbia College Chicago and a highly respected member of the faculty who was wholly committed to making the education of his students relevant within and to the communities with which they engaged. This Faculty Fellowship honors the 10+ years Tim developed Service-Learning curricula for the College by introducing instructors to the scholarship and transformative potential of civic engagement.

Friday, April 5: Proposals Due for Timothy J Densmore Service-Learning Faculty Fellowships